One of the main differences Jim Kiser of Kiser Arena Specialists compensates for between an outdoor and an indoor arena is moisture content.

“If I use 500 gallons of water in (an indoor arena) a day, that probably keeps this ground about where I want it,” Jim says. “At this time of year, outside in an arena this size, 500 gallons wouldn’t even be close to enough.”

AQHA Professional Horseman Brad Jewett of San Antonio cites watering techniques as one of the few changes he makes to compensate in an outdoor arena as well.

Cazenovia, NY – October 25, 2010 – The National Horse Show Association of America is pleased to announce an exciting addition to the schedule of events at this year’s Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 127th National Horse Show. Held November 2-7, 2010, at the Oncenter Complex in Syracuse, NY, the 2010 National Horse Show (NHS) will host a $50,000 Hunter Classic on Thursday November 4th. The class will be presented in honor of legendary horseman Charlie Weaver, who sadly passed away this summer after a tragic riding accident.

Charlie Weaver was a living legend. Most legendary horsemen did not become legends simply because they had talent; but because of their way of going – their character. Charlie, from Fairfax, Virginia, was born with a natural ability and passion for horses. From the very beginning, people knew there was something special about this skinny, curly headed young man. Charlie will be forever linked to some of the most memorable champions of his time: War Dress, Army Wife, Super Flash, Ruxton, Early Light, Stocking Stuffer, and Weather Permitting. Charlie and his mounts were champion and/or reserve champion at every major horse show in the country.

Germany's Christian Ahlmann and the stallion Taloubet Z made it a back-to-back double of victories when coming out on top again at the second leg of the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series at Helsinki, Finland this afternoon. He is pictured being presented with his Rolex watch by Magali Dubois Vaucher from Rolex.

AHLMANN MAKES IT A DOUBLE AT HELSINKI by Louise Parkes

Helsinki (FIN), 24 October 2010 – Germany’s Christian Ahlmann and the stallion Taloubet Z made it two-in-a-row when storming to victory in the second leg of the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series at Helsinki, Finland this afternoon. “I’m very lucky to have such a quick horse,” said the 35 year old rider who, having already taken the main honours in the opening leg at Oslo, Norway a week ago, has now accumulated 40 points and is well on the road to the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final on his home turf in Leipzig, Germany next April.

From a starting field of 39 there were 11 into the jump-off today, and Ahlmann set the pace at the halfway stage and simply could not be caught. Further reinforcing the strength of the German challenge, it was fellow-countryman Philipp Weishaupt who slotted into runner-up spot with Catoki while Holland’s Leon Thijssen and Tyson finished third. The Dutch duo look set to make a big impression on this indoor jumping season as the 10 year old stallion, who finished fifth a week ago, was again one of the real eye-catchers of the competition.

Germany's Isabell Werth and Satchmo won the opening leg of the 2010/2011 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Series in Odense, Denmark today and is presented with her award by Lisa Wells, Director of Special Events for Reem Acra.

Odense (DEN), 24 October 2010 – German dressage ace Isabell Werth threw down the gauntlet with a clear victory in the first leg of the 2010/2011 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage series in Odense, Denmark today.

Last to go, and chasing the target set by Denmark’s Princess Nathalie Zu Sayn Wittgenstein who pipped her for the honours in yesterday’s Grand Prix, Werth produced a score of 81.00% to reverse the placings, while The Netherlands’ Hans Peter Minderhoud once again steered IPS Tango into third.

Riders from eight nations qualified for today’s Freestyle competition but it was clear the host country’s Zu Sayn Wittgenstein was going to be the one to beat. Yesterday she set the arena alight with a wonderful performance from her 13 year old gelding Digby, and such was the jubilation of the home crowd that the arena commentator had to call on the excited spectators to quiet down in order to allow the next competitor to take their turn. Today the crowd went wild with joy once again as the 35 year old rider, who became a mother this summer but who is still showing as much of a competitive edge as ever, produced a personal-best Freestyle score of 80.05% when fourth-last into the arena.

Germany's Andreas Dibowski, here pictured with his winning ride Mighty Magic, claimed the top two places in the 7 Year Old Championship at the FEI World Eventing Championships for Young Horses at Le Lion d'Angers, France over the weekend.

The German Olympian and his much-admired stallion Mighty Magic (Mytens XX/Heraldik XX) which finished second in last year’s 6-year-old class, returned to take the coveted 7-year-old title with a convincing victory. For good measure a clear round in the final jumping phase secured second place with Butts Avedon, who like Dibowski’s 2010 Badminton runner-up ride Euroridings Butts Leon is also sired by the WBFSH top ranked stallion Heraldik XX. This was a dream result for the 44-year-old from Dohle in Lower Saxony.

“Although I have prepared hard for this competition and had victory in mind, first and second was not a thought. When I was younger I was a fan of Andrew Nicholson and today I was privileged to be standing on the podium with him,” Dibowski said, referring to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games bronze medallist whose double clear with Quimbo earned third place. New Zealand veteran, Nicholson, was also 16th with Qwanza, another by the Holstein stallion Lacros, and bred by Pedro Beca in Spain.

“My horse doesn’t feel good and I don’t know why.” I’m sure you’ve heard this phrase or even said this yourself many times. We are so close to our horses. We feed them, clean them, ride them, work them and observe them. We even sleep with them when necessary. They can’t make a move without us knowing something is wrong. So, how do we know what’s wrong? If we can’t pinpoint the problem, out comes the fast dial to the vet. But what if the vet doesn’t necessarily find something wrong? What now? An Equine Iridologist (EI), of course!

“What the heck is an EI?” you ask, “How can they tell me what’s wrong with my horse?” To first understand Equine Iridology, you will need to know a little history on Iridology itself.

Iridology was practiced in Ancient Egypt, China, India and by the Early Chaldeans thousands of years ago where the practice of reading the iris to reveal existing or potential health challenges was the norm. It doesn’t require needles, anesthetics or drugs.

After the Finish Line is pleased to announce the soon to be released JOCK limited edition 2011 collector’s calendars. JOCK, www.jockmovie.com, is a feature length documentary about the first generation of female jockeys. In the late ‘60s and early ‘70s these women fought for the right to ride professionally.

JOCK will make a donation to After the Finish Line for every calendar sold when you add AfterTheFinishLine in the Source Code at check out.

This week’s show takes on a different perspective as we hear from people around the world of what they think about the sale of Totilas. Has a dressage horse ever stirred up so much emotion? Hear for yourself what the world has to say.

I am a volunteer with the American Trakehner Association and a Florida Trakehner breeder. I am writing to ensure you are aware that the American Trakehner Association convention is being held this year at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center on Nov. 11-13, and to invite any/all of your members to come participate in the events!

We are aware of the many assets the JEC brings to north Florida and are actively involved in encouraging the ATA to designate Jacksonville as one of four permanent, rotating sites for our annual conventions. An involved and interested public would go a long way towards making that point!

You may be already know that the ATA keeps a closed stud book as it slowly rebuilds this oldest of the warmblood breeds from near extinction after WWII, when there were as few as 10 breeding mares left from the great Trakehner stud mare herds. For this reason, our inspections are very important and one of the highlights of our conventions. We will have a stallion and a mare inspection at this convention, as well as voluntary marks on foals being presented.